Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has strongly criticized the arbitration tribunal, which he said had no legitimacy. However, he welcomed recent statements by the new leadership in the Philippines and said China is committed to seeking good relations with its neighbors.

"China has noted the latest statements by the new government of the Philippines, including its readiness to re-open consultation and dialogue with China on the South China Sea issue. China hopes that the goodwill of the new Philippine government for improving relations with China will be accompanied with real actions, and that the Philippine side will work with us to properly manage differences and bring China-Philippines relations back to a track of healthy development at an early date.

Finally, I wish to reiterate that it is China’s long-standing commitment to develop good-neighborly and friendly relations with its neighbors. China has an international responsibility to uphold peace and stability in this region, and China will remain firm in its strategic determination to pursue peaceful development. China will continue to do what it can to safeguard the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms governing international relations, to uphold international rule of law and equity and justice in the world, and to promote peace and development of mankind. " Wang said.